Posted an update: 2026-4-2 11:05:01 32
"掐丝" (Nie Si), or wire inlaying, is the most distinctive and difficult stage of the cloisonne process. It is the stage where the artisan "paints" with metal, creating the intricate patterns that will later hold the colorful enamels.
Table of Contents
1. The Art of Pinching (Nie Si)
Using tiny tweezers and specialized pliers, the artisan bends thin, flat copper wires into incredibly complex shapes—lotus flowers, dragons, geometric clouds, and more. Each wire must be perfectly shaped to match the master design. The artisan doesn"t just bend; they "pinch" and "twist" the metal with a level of precision that takes decades to master.
2. Glueing the Design
The bent wires are temporarily attached to the copper body using a glue made from Bletilla striata (a traditional Chinese orchid bulb). This natural glue holds the wires in place through the delicate assembly process but will burn away completely during the first firing, leaving no residue behind.
3. Solder Firing
To permanently bond the wires to the base, the entire piece is dusted with a powdered silver solder and fired in a kiln. This "welds" the thousands of tiny wires to the copper body, creating a series of individual compartments (cloisons). This wire structure is what prevents the different colors of enamel from mixing during the subsequent firings.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How thin are the wires?
A: Traditional cloisonne wires are usually about 0.05mm to 0.1mm thick, roughly the diameter of a human hair.
Q: What happens if a wire is slightly out of place?
A: The entire pattern will be ruined. Because the enamels are semi-transparent, even the slightest deviation in the wirework will be visible in the final piece.